The Wayland High School volleyball team will be host for its invitational Saturday sporting a 20-14-4 overall record, 5-3 in the O-K Gold Conference.

The Lady Wildcats will be joined in the eight-team competition Saturday morning and afternoon by Byron Center, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Hamilton, Hudsonville Unity Christian, Otsego and Plainwell.

Coach Nicki Cardosa’s group is battling for second place in the league. Though Grand Rapids South Christian is undefeated and virtually uncatchable, Wayland and Middleville Thornapple Kellogg are battling it out for the runner-up slot. The Trojans are 4-3 in league play.

The Wildcats took a major step forward Thursday evening by defeating Grand Rapids Catholic Central in three of four games and by sweeping Hastings in a doubleheader. Wayland beat Catholic Central 25-15, 25-14, 18-25 and 25-19 and bested the Saxons 25-18, 25-16 and 25-19.

The ‘Cats took South Christian to a five-set match and barely lost in the finale, 15-13, a week ago.

PHOTOS: Taryn Coughlin  Kamie Swan (Photos courtesy of Kenny Ritz)